This weeks feature is Kaitie Degen. Kaitie is the creator of Sober Saturdayz, a three year old start-up that advocates for sobriety in an innovative way. The community and the support network that Kaitie has built for sober and sober curious people is so awesome! There really is so much more to life than getting drunk every weekend and she is here to show you how!
Kaitie believes that sobriety can be tackled through traumas and assisted with the use of cannabis and psychedelic therapies. She has written for Universities such as MacEwan University, University of Alberta, the Woman's Association of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and more!
Kaitie is also Canada's leading exporter of high-end non alcoholic products, including spirits, bubbly, and Canada's first sparkling water infused with hemp extracts and adaptogens, called Daydream! Which by the way we will be carrying at Velvet in the near future, so stay tuned for that!
To find out more about the amazing work Kaitie does and to be apart of the Sober Saturdayz community go and follow her on Instagram @sobersaturdayz and @daydream.
Here’s our chat with her.
1. Where’d you grow up and where do you live now?
I was born in Kelowna, BC, lived in Edmonton AB for 10 years and have been in Vancouver now since Jan 2001.
2. What is your definition of strength?
Ooo good question. For me, Strength is my resilience.
I had a pretty traumatic upbringing and living on my own and having to grow up quickly meant I had to act fast on my feet. As an adult and entrepreneur my resilience has been my most prized attribute.
3. What is something that’s important to you now that never used to be?
My sobriety. My association and who gets access to my work/energies!
4. How would you describe your style?
Emotional, Fun and whatever my inner child is craving!
5. Favourite food to cook at home?
I actually love baking and cooking. For me it's always about the presentation. Maybe its all my time working in the service industry, but I just always wanna make everything cute! Cutting food into fun shapes and using foods with bright colours and balanced textures is my fav!
6. What’re 3 books on your bookshelf?
OOOO I am CONSTANTLY reading! I absolutely love it!
The latest three I've gotten into have been:
1. A Woman's Guide to Cannabis - Nikki Furrer
2. When the Body Says No - Gaber Mate
3. Freedom - Osho
7. What’s something you want to accomplish in the next year?
I want to create a long lasting sober-curious community that functions online as well physically.
I want to write a book about my life and upbringing!
8. Tell us something people would find surprising about you:
I grew up in foster care and I've never met my dad or even know his name!
9. Favourite movie?
Pffft. I'm a weirdo, all the musicals, all the horror movies, anything independent.
Currently I'm trying to hunt down the 1986 version of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS which seems impossible to find in Canada?!
10. How do you want people to remember you?
By how I've helped people around the world and been an advocate for plant medicines in recovery. I have big plans! Stay tuned🙂